DNYMX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DNYMX (DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DNYMX returned 1.59%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DNYMX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DNYMX achieves a 0.98% return, which is significantly lower than DCARX's 2.03% return.

DNYMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: 1.59%
• 10Y*: 1.34%

DCARX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 3.37%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DNYMX DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.98%	2.69%	2.87%	2.76%	-1.17%	-0.10%	1.26%	2.42%	1.02%	0.27%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.03%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between DNYMX and DCARX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.23

The correlation between DNYMX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.23 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DNYMX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DNYMX

DNYMX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DNYMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DNYMX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.63	3.35	+1.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	10.39	5.60	+4.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	4.18	1.98	+2.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.63	7.43	+5.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	56.98	20.89	+36.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DNYMX Sharpe Ratio is 4.63, which is higher than the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 3.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DNYMX and DCARX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DNYMX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.63	3.35	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.82	1.14	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	0.96	+0.37

Drawdowns

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DNYMX drawdown since its inception was -3.19%, smaller than the maximum DCARX drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DNYMX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DNYMX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.19%	-12.27%	+9.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.24%	-0.47%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.98%	-1.39%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.53%	-4.79%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-3.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-0.74%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.05%	0.17%	-0.12%

Volatility

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX) is 0.22%, while DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) has a volatility of 0.44%. This indicates that DNYMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DNYMX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.22%	0.44%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.49%	0.86%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65%	1.04%	-0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.88%	2.24%	-1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.05%	2.91%	-1.86%

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DNYMX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than DCARX's 0.26% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DNYMX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

DNYMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, less than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%	0.00%
DNYMX DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.65%	2.36%	2.73%	1.92%	0.70%	0.59%	1.06%	1.31%	1.21%	1.04%	1.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DNYMX and DCARX in my portfolio?

DNYMX and DCARX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DNYMX or DCARX?

DCARX has higher volatility (0.44%) compared to DNYMX (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DNYMX dropped -3.19% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNYMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.63 vs 3.35), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.